Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the physical properties of the wood of Pinus taeda L. of the Pedro Juan Caballero District, Paraguay. For this purpose, six 25-year-old pine trees were randomly selected in a 3.5 hectare stand. According to the 458, 460, 461 and 462 COPANT standards, 5 cm thick discs were removed at three different heights (lower, middle and upper section) from each tree. From them, scantlings were extracted to determine basic density, moisture content and dimensional variability, i.e. tangential, radial, longitudinal and volumetric contractions. The former did not vary among the lower, middle and upper sections showing mean values of 0.626, 0.625 and 0.630 g/cm-3; the mean moisture content was of 70.3 %. The values for their tangential, radial, longitudinal and volumetric contractions were 6.41 %, 5.99 %, 0.51 % and 12.5 % respectively. According to the results obtained for the basic density of the 25-year-old Pinus taeda L., it is classified as a heavy, highly workable ideal for structural use.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las propiedades físicas de la madera Pinus taeda L., en el Distrito de Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay. Para tal efecto fueron apeados de forma aleatoria seis árboles de pino de 25 años de edad en un rodal de 3,5 hectáreas. De acuerdo a la norma COPANT (458, 460, 461, 462), de cada árbol fueron retirados discos de 5 cm de espesor a tres alturas (sección inferior, medio y superior). De cada disco de madera se extrajeron cuartones para determinar la densidad básica y probetas para determinar el contenido de humedad y la variabilidad dimensional: contracciones tangencial, radial, longitudinal, y volumétrica. La densidad básica no varió entre las secciones inferior, media y superior, presentando valores promedios de 0,626, 0,625 y 0,630 g/cm-3, y el contenido de humedad promedio resultó en 70,3 %. Los valores de contracción tangencial, radial, longitudinal y volumétrica fueron de 6,41 %, 5,99 %, 0,51 % y 12,5 %, respectivamente. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos de densidad básica de Pinus taeda L. de 25 años, la misma se clasifica como madera pesada, de buena trabajabilidad, ideal para uso estructural.

A new genotype of spineless cactus is being used in the diets of dairy cattle that are raised in semi-arid regions. However, little is known about its nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) with Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta [Haw.] Haw.) spineless cactus, on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield and composition, feeding behaviour, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, and ruminal and blood parameters of dairy cows. Ten Girolando cows, 500 ± 51.6 kg bodyweight, were distributed in a double Latin square design 5 x 5. The treatments consisted of replacement levels of Miúda (MIU) by Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) (14.38-12.95 kg d-1, 716.3-658.9 g d-1), organic matter (OM) (13.01-11.43 kg d-1, 747.8-704.8 g d-1), crude protein (CP) (2.02-1.61 kg d-1, 863.8845.2 g d-1) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) (9.38-7.92 kg d-1) decreased linearly with the increase in replacement. Despite the decrease in intake and digestibility, the supply of nutrients was sufficient to maintain a milk yield of 12.5 kg d-1. The average daily weight gain decreased linearly with the increase in replacement, while protein microbial efficiency (g microbial CP kg-1 TDN intake; 91.24 to 127.44 g kg-1) increased linearly. Thus, OEM could replace 100% MIU in diets with 48% of spineless cactus, for crossbred lactating cows with 12.5 kg d-1 milk yield. Therefore, OEM is a viable new option for producing milk in smallholder livestock systems in semi-arid regions.

Os projetos estruturais de pavimentos formados por lajes alveolares usualmente as consideram como simplesmente apoiadas. Nos últimos anos têm ocorrido modificações nos projetos, de tal forma que lajes alveolares com continuidade têm sido muito utilizadas. O objetivo deste trabalho é sugerir uma forma de se calcular a armadura negativa para ser utilizada em ensaios com continuidade obtida por meio de uma capa estrutural. Para isso, apresenta-se um método baseado no máximo momento resistente positivo e na máxima força cortante resistente de uma laje alveolar. O método é aplicado a um ensaio em lajes alveolares com as seguintes dimensões: 2 m de largura, 6 m de comprimento e 21 cm de altura. Os resultados indicaram que o método foi satisfatório para o ensaio realizado e, portanto, pode ser aplicado para outras configurações de ensaio, ou até mesmo em projetos.

The structural designs of floors formed by hollow core slabs usually consider these as simply-supported slabs. In recent years there have been project changes and hollow core slabs with continuity are widely used. The objective of this study is to suggest a way to calculate the reinforcement bars to be used in tests with continuity provided by a structural topping. Thus, this paper presents a method based on the maximum positive resistance moment and maximum shear strength of a hollow core slab. The method is applied to a test in hollow core slab specimens which have the following dimensions: 2 m width, 6 m long, and 21 cm high. The results indicated that the method was satisfactory to the performed test, and can therefore be applied to the other test configurations or even designs.

A novel orange peel adsorbent developed from an agricultural waste material was characterised and utilised for the removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue from an artificial textile-dye effluent. The adsorption thermodynamics of this dye-adsorbent pair was studied in a series of equilibrium experiments. The time to reach equilibrium was 15 h for the concentration range of 30 mg L-1 to 250 mg L-1. The adsorption capacity decreased with increasing temperature, from 9.7 mg L-1 at 20 ºC to 5.0 mg L-1 at 60 ºC. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models fitted the adsorption data quite reasonably. The thermodynamic analysis of dye adsorption onto the orange peel adsorbent indicated its endothermic and spontaneous nature. Thus, the application of orange peel adsorbent for the removal of dye from a synthetic textile effluent was successfully demonstrated.

Em decorrência do grande aumento na utilização de estruturas pré-moldadas de concreto na construção de edifícios de múltiplos pavimentos, abordou-se neste trabalho o estudo do comportamento de ligações viga-pilar com ênfase na continuidade proporcionada pela armadura da laje. Dois protótipos foram ensaiados, cada um deles com um detalhamento diferente de distribuição da armadura de continuidade. Em ambas as ligações, a área de aço utilizada na capa da laje foi a mesma, variando a quantidade de barras que passavam através do pilar por meio de aberturas e as que se localizavam em suas laterais. Os resultados experimentais mostraram que a ligação com barras laterais ao pilar apresentaram aumento da rigidez e maior controle da fissuração. De acordo com a classificação realizada, as duas ligações ensaiadas podem ser consideradas semi-rígidas.

Due to the large increase in the use of precast concrete structures in multistory buildings, this work covers a study on the behavior of beam-column connection with emphasis on the continuity provided by the slab reinforcement. Two prototypes were tested, each one with a different detail of the continuity reinforcement distribution. In both connections, the steel area used on the concrete cover of the hollow core slab was the same, varying the amount of bars that passed through the column and the ones that were placed adjacent to the column. The experimental results showed that the connection with bars adjacent to the column presented stiffness increase and a better cracking control. According to the classification the two tested connections can be considered semi-rigid.

Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados experimentais de ensaios em ligações viga-pilar de concreto armado realizados na Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos - USP. Os referidos resultados experimentais concentram-se nas rotações relativas entre os elementos viga e pilar, importantes para a determinação da relação momento-rotação das ligações e da caracterização do comportamento semi-rígido das mesmas. Os dados experimentais foram obtidos a partir de ensaios de ligações viga-pilar de extremidade. A influência da resistência à compressão do concreto e da taxa de armadura transversal na região dos nós de pórtico sobre as rotações relativas foi analisada. Os resultados experimentais foram confrontados com o modelo teórico proposto por Ferreira [1] para ligações com engastamento parcial, permitindo uma avaliação da porcentagem de engastamento alcançada pelas tipologias de ligações monolíticas abordadas neste trabalho.

This paper presents the results of experimental tests on reinforced concrete beam-column connections carried out at the Engineering School of São Carlos - USP. The experimental results concentrate on relative rotations between beam and column, which are importante parameters for the evaluation of the moment-rotation curves and the characterization of semi-rigid behavior of the connections. The experimental results were obtained from tests on specimens of edged beam-column connections. The influence of concrete compressive strength and joint transverse reinforcement ratio on relative rotations was investigated. The experimental results were compared with results obtained from the theoretical model proposed by Ferreira [1] for partially restrained connections, which provided an evaluation of the percentage of restriction obtained by the types of monolithic connections considered in this study.

The midgut of adult female Anopheles aquasalis presents a narrow anterior or thoracic region and a distensible posterior or abdominal region constituted by the epithelium formed by a cell layer whose apical portion presents microvilli and the basal portion, a basal labyrinth. The thoracic region revealed heterogeneous cellular staining affinity mainly by the presence of acidic components. The ultrastructural aspect showed columnar cells with the presence of the vesicle, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and secreting cells. The abdominal region of the midgut revealed an irregular epithelium whose cells presented a basophilic cytoplasm and acidophil granules. It was also found secreting and/or basal cells with narrow cytoplasm. The ultrastructural observation of this region demonstrated cells with evident nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Larger vesicles and small granules were found distributed throughout the cytoplasm. The basal lamina that supports the epithelium presented a generally irregular aspect and the muscle fibers have longitudinal and circular organization and were found separating the epithelium from the haemocel. This study will contribute to analyses on the vector mosquito-parasite interaction mechanism in this specimen.

La seccion media del intestino de la hembra de Anopheles aquasalis presenta una estrecha region anterior o toráxica y una region posterior o abdominal constituida por el epitelio formado por una camada de células cuya porcion apical presenta microvilosidades y la porcion basal presenta un laberinto basal. La region toráxica reveló afinidad de tintura celular principalmente para componentes acídicos. El aspecto ultra estructural mostró células columnares con la presencia de la vesícula, mitocondrias, retículo endoplasmático y células secretoras. La region abdominal del intestino medio reveló un epitelio irregular con células con citoplasma basófilo y granulos acidófilos. También se encontraron células secretoras y/o básales con citoplasma estrecho. La observacion ultra estructural de la region mostró células con núcleos, retículo endoplasmático y mitocondrias evidentes. Vesículas largas y granulos pequeños fueron encontrados distribuidos por todo el citoplasma. La lámina basal que apoya el epitelio presentó un aspecto irregular y las fibras musculares tienen organizacion longitudinal y circular y separan el epitelio del hemocele. Este estudio contribuirá al análisis del mecanismo de interaccion entre el mosquito y el parásito en este espécimen.

Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) is one of the tropical species of oysters cultivated on the Brazilian shore. Despite its high commercial value, there is no information on the gonadal characteristics during the reproductive stages of this species. The objective of this work was to analyze the morphology and morphometry of Crassostrea rhizophorae oocytes and follicles in three stages of the gonadal cycle. Were analized histological sections of gonads considering that the oocytes presented visible nuclei and nucleoli, it was observed three gonadal cycle stages: early gametogenesis, growth and maturation. In the early gametogenesis stage, follicles and oocytes presented diameters of 180.29 (± 41.91) and 18.66 (± 6.85) µm, respectively, and presence of large amount of connective tissue and previtellogenic oocyte. In the growth stage, follicles and oocytes presented diameters of 218.02 (± 43.19) and 25.92 (± 9.94) µm, respectively, this stage was characterized by a small amount of interfollicular connective tissue with vitellogenic oocyte predominate. In the maturation stage, follicles and oocytes presented diameters of 298.16 (± 99.24) and 35.27 (± 6.2) µm, respectively, and presence of large number of mature oocytes. We concluded that during culture Crassostrea rhizophorae tolerates the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors and does not undergo significant changes in reproductive activity

Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding, 1828) es una de las especies de ostras tropicales cultivadas en la costa brasilera, que presenta alto valor comercial, no existiendo información sobre las características gonadales, durante las fases reproductivas de esta especie. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la morfología de los ovocitos y de los folículos gonadales de Crassostrea rhizophorae, en tres fases del ciclo gonadal. Analizando los cortes histológicos de las gónadas y considerando los ovocitos que presentaban núcleo y nucléolo evidentes, fueron determinadas tres fases del ciclo gonadal: gametogénesis inicial, crecimiento y maduración. En la fase de gametogénesis inicial, el diámetro de los folículos y de los ovocitos era de 180,29 (± 41,91) e 18,66 (± 6,85) µm, respectivamente; también identificamos gran cantidad de tejido conjuntivo interfolicular y un número mayor de ovocitos previtelogénicos. En la fase de crecimiento, el diámetro de los folículos y de los ovocitos era de 218,02 (± 43,19) y 25,92 (± 9,94) µm, respectivamente. Este fase fue caracterizada por una pequeña cantidad de tejido conjuntivo interfolicular y predominio de ovocitos vitelogénicos. En la fase de maduración, el diámetro de los folículos y de los ovocitos era de 298,16 (± 99,24) y 35,27 (± 6,2) µm, respectivamente, existiendo gran número de ovocitos maduros. De esta manera, concluimos que durante la implantación del cultivo, Crassostrea rhizophorae tolera la influencia de los factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos y no presenta alteraciones significativas en su actividad reproductiva

This paper reports the construction of an axisymmetric nonpremixed piloted jet burner, with well-defined initial and boundary conditions, known as the Delft burner, to assess turbulence-chemistry interaction in non-premixed turbulent flames. Detailed experimental information is described, involving hot-wire anemometry, thin-wire thermocouples and chemiluminescence visualization measurements. Radial profile of the axial mean velocity indicates excellent agreement between flow patterns developed within Delft installation and the one described herein. Chemiluminescence emissions from CH and C2 free-radicals were acquired with a CCD camera. Tomography reconstruction analysis was utilised to compare radical emissions and temperature spatial distributions. There was a strong dependence between temperature and CH/C2 emissions. This is an indication that these radicals can be used in flame front studies.

This work analyzes an active fuzzy logic control system in a Rijke type pulse combustor. During the system development, a study of the existing types of control for pulse combustion was carried out and a simulation model was implemented to be used with the package Matlab and Simulink. Blocks which were not available in the simulator library were developed. A fuzzy controller was developed and its membership functions and inference rules were established. The obtained simulation showed that fuzzy logic is viable in the control of combustion instabilities. The obtained results indicated that the control system responded to pulses in an efficient and desirable way. It was verified that the system needed approximately 0.2 s to increase the tube internal pressure from 30 to 90 mbar, with an assumed total delay of 2 ms. The effects of delay variation were studied. Convergence was always obtained and general performance was not affected by the delay. The controller sends a pressure signal in phase with the Rijke tube internal pressure signal, through the speakers, when an increase the oscillations pressure amplitude is desired. On the other hand, when a decrease of the tube internal pressure amplitude is desired, the controller sends a signal 180º out of phase.